Get Ready for a Month of Debate

W ith the primary election behind us, Putnam focuses its attention on the November 3 general election. During the month of October, in the weeks preceding election day, The Courier will be committed to covering the campaigns fairly and accurately. Through Letters to the Editor and op-ed pieces, citizens and candidates are encouraged to flesh out their ideas and craft their arguments. The Courier will publish all letters it receives, pursuant to our policies (see at right) and provided they are free of ad hominem attacks (see definition in “Word of the Week.”) This does not mean the discourse must be dull: In fact, election time should ideally lead to spirited discussions.

We will soon send a brief questionnaire to all candidates, and we will publish their answers in the October 29 issue. By offering a forum for the exchange of ideas and by providing information about all the candidates, The Courier hopes to serve as your guide to the upcoming elections.

For our republican government to flourish while holding true to our founding principles of freedom, citizen participation is vital. We not only have the right to vote, but the duty to participate in politics in some level. You can begin simply by reading the news.